To mark a new era for the Pearson National Teaching Awards, bespoke trophy manufacturer Gaudio Awards was commissioned to create a distinctive new trophy that reflects the professionalism and dedication of the individuals and teams being honoured. Combining innovative design with precision engineering, the award has become a fitting representation of achievement within the education sector.
About Gaudio Awards
Gaudio Awards are a leading manufacturer of high-quality, unique awards, trophies and plaques, as well as offering an online store selling personalised glass and crystal trophies and cups. Their 5-star rated customer service and design teams are trusted by some of the world’s leading brands to support their award ceremonies, events, and presentations.
A Trophy for a New Era
In 2019, Gaudio Awards worked with the Teaching Awards Trust to create a distinctive new trophy for The Pearson National Teaching Awards. The aim was to create an award that reflected both the prestige of the recognition and the impact of those receiving it. Gaudio Awards’ in-house design team developed a contemporary concept that brings together elegance, craftsmanship and a strong visual identity.
The design needed to represent a profession that changes lives: opening opportunities, building confidence and giving young people the knowledge and support to shape their futures.
The finished trophy features a striking freestanding design, combining two complementary gold finishes to create a truly distinctive appearance. Modern yet timeless, it was carefully crafted to convey the significance of an award that celebrates transformational teaching across the education profession.
Each trophy is individually engraved with the winner’s name, ensuring every piece is a unique keepsake that commemorates a remarkable achievement and a lasting contribution to education.
Designed and Manufactured in the UK
Gaudio Awards has been creating bespoke trophies and awards for more than 20 years, offering a complete in-house service from initial concept through to final production. The company’s expertise in custom design and manufacturing made them the ideal partner for a project requiring both creativity and precision.
Working closely to deliver the new trophy, the team managed every stage of the process, including design development, manufacturing and finishing. This approach ensured complete quality control and allowed the vision for the award to be realised exactly as intended.
The design was created by Stuart Sharples, Head of Design at Gaudio Awards.
He said: “The design process was a real collaboration between ourselves and the team at the Teaching Awards. We went through several rounds of mood boards, concept sketches and design refinements before finally settling on the final design.” “The finished trophy is really striking – featuring some new techniques not seen before on trophies. It’s a really unique piece that we’re incredibly proud of.”
Precision Engineering Meets Craftsmanship
The trophy is produced using solid, partially-recycled aluminium, a material chosen for durability, quality and visual appeal. Using advanced CNC machining technology, each component is manufactured with exceptional precision, resulting in crisp lines, clean detailing and a flawless finish.
One of the defining features of the trophy is its luxurious gold appearance. This is achieved through an anodising process, which creates a rich, hard-wearing finish that becomes part of the aluminium surface itself. Unlike traditional coatings, anodising provides long-lasting colour and durability, ensuring the trophy remains as impressive years after it is presented as it is on the day it is received.
The use of aluminium also supports sustainability, as the material can be recycled repeatedly without losing its quality, making it a responsible choice for a prestigious modern award.
A Symbol Worthy of the Achievement
More than simply an award, the trophy serves as a lasting reminder of the dedication, passion and commitment shown by education professionals across the UK. It stands as a tangible symbol of merit and recognises the extraordinary impact that teachers, leaders and support staff have on the lives of young people every day.
Kate Micallef, Awards Manager at The Teaching Awards Trust commented: “Gaudio Awards have been our trusted trophy partner since 2019, manufacturing the Silver and Gold Winner trophies for the Pearson National Teaching Awards. Their design team took the time to understand what this recognition means to the teachers and leaders who receive it, and the result is a trophy that truly reflects the significance of the achievement. We appreciate their responsiveness and commitment to getting things right, and every winner receives a trophy they can be proud of.”
Through thoughtful design, expert engineering and meticulous craftsmanship, Gaudio Awards has created a trophy that embodies the values of achievement and aspiration. It is a fitting tribute to those whose dedication continues to shape futures and transform lives through education.
See our Silver and Gold Winners with their Trophy
Lynn Griffiths, with his Gold Trophy for Lifetime Achievement 2025
A truly inspirational educational leader, Lynn has devoted his life to the community of Ysgol Gymraeg Caerffili. With 32 years’ experience as a teacher, senior leader and headteacher, Lynn has ensured that the school is regarded as one of the leading Welsh-medium primary schools in South East Wales. This has been recognised by the local authority, the Education Achievement Service and Estyn. Lynn is also a trained Estyn peer inspector and school improvement partner, working closely with three other schools. In addition, he has mentored many senior leaders in the region with great success and leads an alliance of partner schools that work closely with Cardiff Metropolitan University…
Florence Makinde with her Silver Trophy for FE Lecturer of the Year 2026
Florence is an exceptional example of professionalism and a highly valued member of Newham College. With her dual registration in nursing and midwifery and more than 20 years’ NHS experience, she brings outstanding clinical expertise and real-world insight to every lesson. Her teaching equips students across BTEC, T level and Higher National programmes with vital healthcare skills, from blood pressure monitoring and infection control to care planning. Her compassionate, learner-focused approach inspires confidence…
